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When can a de facto partner make a claim for a property settlement?
Jacky Campbell Partner Forte Family Lawyers June 2025 It is very common for parties to disagree about whether they were in a de facto relationship when it started or ended, thus impacting whether a claim can be made for a property settlement under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) and the quantum of the claim. The parties...
What Evidence Do You Need For a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) in Victoria?
To apply for a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO), also known as an IVO, you’ll need evidence supporting your claims. This can include police reports, witness statements, photos, text messages or even social media posts. In some cases, financial abuse or psychological abuse might be evidenced through bank statements or...
What is a De Facto Partner Entitled to When Separated? Your Rights & Responsibilities
When a de facto relationship ends, partners are entitled to similar legal rights as married couples under the Family Law Act. This means both parties have the right to apply for property settlements, maintenance, and child-related orders. De Facto Separation and Family Law: Your Entitlements Until 10 June 2025, the process for...
How To Get A Divorce In Australia: Essential Steps & Considerations
In Australia, the process of getting a divorce is governed by the Family Law Act 1975. It is designed to be clear and accessible, ensuring that individuals can navigate the legal system with ease, whether they're dealing with child-related issues, financial matters, or property settlements. If you are considering divorce, it's...
The new process for determining a family law property settlement is changing – What do you need to know?
The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (the Act) was recently passed by Federal Parliament and most of the amendments will take effect on 10 June 2025. The Act amends the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) and primarily deals with the property settlement and maintenance provisions for married and de facto couples in Pts VIII and...
Pets in Family Law Proceedings: Who gets to keep Roxy? Why can’t we share the care of Charlie?
In Australia, pets are often treated as members of the family, and this is particularly obvious with dogs. The cost of, and demand for, designer dog breeds like cavoodles and labradoodles is high. They are given human names like Lucy and Max – not Rover and Fido - and are more likely to live indoors than outdoors as they did...
Cross-border Family Law: Advising Clients when Other Jurisdictions are in Play
Today’s increasing globalisation means that the numbers of couples and families who are temporary or permanent residents, own property, have property interests and/or run businesses in other countries is on the rise. While Australian lawyers cannot (and should not) provide advice to their clients about their legal entitlements...
Family Law Act Amendments & Parenting Arrangements: A New Pathway or Stuck on the Same Old Road?
INTRODUCTION : FAMILY LAW ACT AMENDMENTS 2024 Major changes to the parenting provisions in Pt VII of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (‘FLA’) came into effect on 6 May 2024 when the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) (FLAA) commenced. These amendments have only been in effect for three months, but already some cases have been...
Have you been accused of family violence?
If you have been accused of family violence, the violence may be relevant to parenting orders you seek in a Family Law court, or to intervention orders which are sought against you in the Magistrates’ Court. Some of the questions you may have about these are answered below. If you requuire more clarification, we urge you speak...
Family Law Act Amendments Update – Parenting arrangements and property settlements
Introduction In the past, family lawyers often joked about the constancy of legislative reform, but it has been quiet recently. This is fairly unusual as family law is so tied up with societal changes – either leading them or following them. We have had nothing substantial since the commencement of the Federal Circuit and...